A Patriots offensive line in transition will have to deal with three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake in its regular-season opener with the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium.

There's also fellow defensive end Olivier Vernon, who actually exceeded Wake's sack total a year ago, 11.5-8.5.

According to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, though, the challenge the Dolphins' defensive line presents runs deeper than that.

"It's all of them: (tackles Randy) Starks and obviously (Earl) Mitchell and (Jared) Odrick, they're all good players," Belichick said Wednesday. "They're well balanced. This is one of the best defensive lines we'll see all year.

"They're physical. They run well. They're tough. They use their hands well. They're aware of big blocking schemes and they don't really get fooled much. It's good. It's one of the strongest units that we'll see all year. They do a good job."

Wake's 51.5 sacks over his five seasons in the NFL rank fifth in the league over that time period behind Jared Allen (71), DeMarcus Ware (63.5), Robert Mathis (57.5) and Tamba Hali (55).

No comment: Brady on friend and former teammate Wes Welker's suspension for the first four games of the Denver Broncos' season for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs: "I don't have a lot of thoughts or comments on that."

Roster moves: The Patriots waived Bruce Gaston and Kelcy Quarles, the two defensive tackles they just picked up off waivers on Sunday. The team also announced the signings of offensive lineman Chris Barker (released by the team on Monday), tight end Allen Reisner and running back Marcus Thigpen to their practice squad. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, long snapper Charley Hughlett, defensive back Daxton Swanson and Kanorris Davis were released from the practice squad.

Feats of Clay: Tight end Charles Clay enjoyed a breakout season last year, his third in the league, hauling in 69 passes for 759 yards and six touchdowns. "He's shifty and he's fast," said Belichick. "He's got good run-after-catch skills. He's a hard guy to match up with." Speaking of the problems he presents, Belichick said: "I wouldn't say it's size (6-foot-3, 255 pounds). I'd say it's his quickness, his speed, his ability as a vertical receiver. He can really hurt you down the field. Not that he can't hurt you in short areas, but he's certainly a 20-, 30-, 40-yard type of guy when they hit him in those seams and overs and vertical routes."